The new Copa Council motto:  To serve and pillage.

Az has it right  PANDERING    Lets see one works for city of Mesa {they are broke so maybe she is hanging without coverage.

Vice Mayor he is a lobbyist, bet he has coverage

Marvin Brown is retired so he is covered someway

Eddie  Farrell  he might need it but his wife works for School District

Tony Smith, big project manager at the Ethanol Plant he should have beenies

Donald Paulsen  unknown  retired, Old folks coverage

Carl Diedrich, unknown, will hope for info later

So what is the need, just another bite into the RAINEY DAY FUND

Get it while you can...I have been single paying higher taxes for years. Now I have friend that can get me free food, You know what, I'll take it. I have been paying for it for 29 years with nothing in return..I'll take it now. It's my money anyway!

Conservative gone Liberal....Buy.. God,  it's are right to live off others.  Isn't it?

First let's verify that the coverage is for the council person and not their families.   Secondly why should we compensate them for being an elected official.  DD you need to look back at their statements and see what they really represent.   I can hire a 3 member management team with qualified degrees and background on an hourly basis one hell of a lot cheaper than 3 new wannabe council persons.  This is not disrespectful, but just true facts, look at what happened when Rick Busse took on a management position and had no clue as to what was happening.  What management and professional skills did any of the former council pesons possess?  Let's see would you hire a person subject to bankruptcy relief?  Would you hire someone fighting a felony conviction?  Which council members had outside interests other than the city at heart?  Why has the city coughed out huge amounts to satisfy unqualified city officials after the fact.  What management skills do the current and new council members elect possess?  If as a taxpayer, not authorized to vote, but pay the bills should have a question concerning this matter.  I guess the best way to finalize my feelings, is am tired to the trial and error method, you seem too know more so let's see another avenue.  Even former city council members acknowledged they weren't up too par for the job.  This is a true deal and no room for guessing and then regretting.  

For the most part I agree with DD. The point I might question is; questioning one's motives that doesn't accept any compensation. I can understand why one might be suspicious. Although, one may truly feel that accepting compensation works against personal values for doing a resident's duty.

It doesn't bother me one way or another. It is what it is. If one does or doesn't accept it, It is okay with me. I give them the benefit of the doubt that one is doing best by own conscience. To me, accepting pay or not, isn't an indicator of performance.

Again, I understand why one might be suspicious. I would keep my mind open for those reasons,too.

As far as the health insurance goes, I'm not a big fan of it. However, I'm not sure if I would accept it or not. I am sure there is a lot that goes into that decision making for a council member. Sure one expects the interest of the City to be first. But, these are human beings who have needs, values, families, as well as a City that depend on them.

I think DD is right on that compensation must be seen as fair to those considering the position. Of Course, it must be consider fair by the residents, too.One wants to be sure that the interests of the council member are the SAME interests as the City.

Leon then I am hearing you response in this manner, you are OK with the trial and error way, irregardlessly of the financial impact to taxpayers?  Is there a problem of working with someone who has the credentials and results you are trying to achieve?  All of my family and friends have MBA's and we still use pro's when we are not knowledgeable in certain areas.  I hire a tax attorney when I feel it is questionable.  I hire a CPA to arrange the numbers so we can make a reliable decision.  I feel that the council members are not financial wizards and up to date and everything.  You must agree that the City management and Council have scewed numerous decisions that have cost the taxpayer directly, not themselves.  I hope this dialog will show citizens and taxpayers the concern and questions that created this threat. 

Twinkleblue are you satisfied with the financial burden put on the city and taxpayers do too mistakes made by council and city staff?  I would like to hear from you other than agreeing with a questionable response.   Looking forward to your reply/

AZ- Please look at my response to the editorial regarding the budget vote if you haven't already.

I hope it makes my position clearer regarding the City's financial situation.

Thanks.

Yes AZcarcarrier, because I'm a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". I am a native Arizonan, growing up in a small town and I have seen politicians come and go, most being prominent figures in my life as aquaintances of my Father. The quality of compensation for the people who work for you makes a big difference in the service you get; if you pay poorly for work that you want done, then you deserve to get treated badly.

There are so many people who complain about paying for the things that they take for granted, like city services. But they are the first to complain if the service they want is no longer available or will take longer due to budget cuts or positions being cut because tax payers don't want to pay for them any longer. You can't have it both ways, choose one.

The council position is not a full time job and shouldn't include any benefits.  Thats what their 'real' job is for.

Rich Tig you have hit the nail on the head to speak litely, it is a two scheduled meeting per month and then of coarse the shotgun, no notice, pass and run technique currently used.  I find it interesting that not a one candidate brought up the compensation thing at all.  Just set back and watch all the promises that were made go by the wayside quickly.  Being absent from meetings seem unusal concerning the importance of the subject, I read the rules and man that is a quick way to get booted if pushed.

It doesn't matter if the job is part time - the issue is compensation and incentive. Many of the council members are self employed, so this translates to a direct benefit. The city already has invested in the overall policy, so the cost of adding people to it is minimal in comparison to paying out direct compensation.

One stupid mistake or vote toward a self serving issue can have more cost impact than a thousand years of health insurance premiums. How much health insurance could have been bought with what it cost to pave the interim city hall parking lot?

You don't save money by scrimping on payroll.  You save money by hiring or electing honest, competent people who can do the job right.

I think they are heading down a slippery slope.

Whats next?

Cars?  (they do need to get to the meetings)

Travel Budget?  (they need to check out the city council in Paris)

Expense Accounts?  (they do need to eat)

Cell Phones?  (they need to be in contact with the city at all times)

Assistants?  (they need someone to make copies)

Once they get used to having their hand in the cookie jar, it will be hard to get out.